Words to Know

VACB

A procedure in which a small sample of suspicious tissue is removed from the breast. An imaging device is used to guide a hollow probe connected to a vacuum device. The probe is inserted through a tiny cut made in numbed skin on the breast and the tissue sample is then removed using gentle vacuum suction and a small rotating knife within the probe. The tissue sample is studied under a microscope to check for signs of disease. This procedure causes very little scarring and no stitches are needed. Also called vacuum-assisted biopsy, vacuum-assisted core biopsy.

vaccine therapy

A type of treatment that uses a substance or group of substances to stimulate the immune system to destroy a tumor, or infectious microorganisms such as bacteria or viruses.

vacuum-assisted biopsy or vacuum-assisted core biopsy

Also called VACB. A procedure in which a small sample of suspicious tissue is removed from the breast. An imaging device is used to guide a hollow probe connected to a vacuum device. The probe is inserted through a tiny cut made in numbed skin on the breast and the tissue sample is then removed using gentle vacuum suction and a small rotating knife within the probe. The tissue sample that is removed is studied under a microscope to check for signs of disease. This procedure causes very little scarring and no stitches are needed. Also called vacuum-assisted biopsy, vacuum-assisted core biopsy.

Valium

Also called diazepam, Valrelease. A medicine used to treat mild to moderate anxiety and tension and to relax muscles. It is a type of benzodiazepine.

vancomycin

An antibiotic medicine used to fight resistant bacterial infections.

vandetanib

A medicine being studied in the treatment of breast cancer, as well as other types of cancer. Vandetanib prevents the growth of new blood vessels that tumors need to grow. It also blocks enzymes needed for cell growth and may kill cancer cells. It is a type of antiangiogenesis agent and a type of tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor

Also called VEGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor. A substance that blocks an enzyme needed to form blood vessels. One example of a VEGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor is pazopanib hydrochloride (brand name, Votrient), which is being studied for the treatment of breast cancer.

vascular endothelial growth factor-antisense oligonucleotide

Also called VEGF-AS. A substance that has been studied in the treatment of cancer. It binds to the RNA for a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) that stimulates the growth of new blood vessels. Vascular endothelial growth factor-antisense oligonucleotide blocks the cell's ability to make VEGF, which may kill tumors that need new blood vessels to grow.

vein

A blood vessel that carries blood to the heart from tissues and organs in the body.

Velban

Also called vinblastine sulfate. A medicine used with others to treat several types of cancer, including advanced breast cancer. Velban comes from the periwinkle plant Vinca rosea Linn. It blocks cell growth by stopping cell division and may kill cancer cells.

venipuncture

Also called phlebotomy. Making a small hole in a vein with a needle for the purpose of drawing blood.

venous sampling

A procedure in which a sample of blood is taken from a certain vein and checked for specific substances released by nearby organs and tissues. A higher than normal amount of a substance can be a sign of disease in the organ or tissue that makes that substance.

Versed

Also called midazolam, midazolam hydrochloride. A medicine used to treat anxiety and tension and to relax muscles. It is also used to treat nausea and caused by some cancer treatments. It is a type of benzodiazepine.

vertebroplasty

A procedure used to repair a bone in the spine that has a break caused by cancer, osteoporosis (a decrease in bone mass and density), or trauma. Bone cement is injected into the broken bone to make it stronger.

vinorelbine

An anticancer medicine that belongs to the family of plant agents called vinca alkaloids. It is used to treat advanced breast cancer.

vital

Necessary to maintain life.

vomit

To eject some or all of the contents of the stomach through the mouth.